Such a big holiday it justifies splitting into 3 parts, with this first part been all about the journey, not part of the holiday I'd normally write about.
Just You run a forum on their website and a few of us got chatting before the trip and exchanged emails which is a great idea. We discovered 3 of us were staying the night before at the airport myself at Bewleys Hotel while Mike & Claire were booked in at the Crowne Plaza next door. We arranged to meet up in the bar for a meal which worked well as its good to know someone else before you travel.
We also spotted a deal on holiday extras via voucher codes for the executive lounge and eight of us agreed to meet there. Great deal for £13 as you can have a bacon or sausage sarnie a few drinks (the Brandy coffee went down well) along with nibbles, fruit, etc. So it was wise not to book breakfast at the hotel however Bewleys insisted i had so it was rude not to get my fill as it was free.
When I arrived in the lounge we started to meet a few others Claire was already there along with Dave so i joined them, Mike arrived and dissapeared around the corner as he hadn't seen us. We went to join him and found Wendy hiding under a table in the corner apparently it wasn't us she was avoiding it was airport security (she can explain that one), moments later Steve joined us setting the tone with a large Beer in each hand.
We knew Dee-anne and Derek had also booked the lounge but all were surprised when two ladies walked in hence the question had to be asked "which one is Derek ?".
Derek turned out to be Hilary and we later found out the real Derek had started Scottish independance early by booking the wrong lounge and was sat elsewhere on his own.
Time to go to the gate a place where we were going to spend the next 90 minutes as the flight was delayed for over an hour. Considering we had only an hour and half to catch our connection to Denver in Atlanta (the worlds busiest airport) a few started to start asking what would happen, rumours varied from "they'll hold the 2nd flight" to "they'll make up the time", hence nobody was really panicking.
Now once in the air we did make up a lot of the time and only arrived 20 minutes late, also while in flight our tour manager "Wendy B" introduced herself and explained to everyone what to do on arrival stressing we need to get to the gate for our onward flight asap.
On arrival we hit massive queues in immigration which took me 45 minutes (some a lot longer), then it was collect luggage before handing it back at transfers. You've probably guessed by now we missed our onward flight to Denver, I actually got to the gate as it was pulling away. Now at this stage we were scattered about so was unsure who had got on, eventually turns out Mike was the only one mainly because he had paid for an upgrade and got off our flight first. Now Mike claimed he paid the upgrade for more leg room we later discoved it was so he could have a 2nd suitcase which he needed for his Camera and associated gear.
Eventually (after about one hour) we got everyone together and Wendy B marched us to the Delta help desk where she entered in negotiations with the staff (only strangled two of them). Eventually she returned with 8 tickets for a later flight leaving 17 of us stuck (now known as the Minnesota 17). Claire put on her matrons uniform and kindly took charge of those going to Denver.
Next step was to sort the rest of us out and Delta agreed to put us up at a local hotel and give us a $50 oucher for food and drink. Initially they were going to fly us to Denver in the morning until Wendy B pointed out the coach was leaving there in the morning to go to Rapid City. After further negotiations they agreed to fly us there but via Minneapolis.
Next question was "where is our luggage ?" and they said if we went to baggage handling we could claim it back which turned out to be a load of old bull.
So after hanging around and some so called checks they told us our luggage was in a holding room and could take 3 hours to get, we agreed to go to the hotel without it and they assured us it would fly with us to Rapid City the following day. They did provide us with an overnight pack and fortunately i take a change of clothes in my hand luggage.
Eventually we got to our overnight hotel so after a quick shower and shave it was down for a bar meal and a few beers courtesy of Delta.We were still having a laugh and even Jack changed from "I'm never coming to America again" to "Its great here" in only four large Brandys.
Finally getting to my room and collapsing asleep in my bed I was awoken by a text from Claire who had arrived in Denver telling me that my luggage along with 6 others had appeared at Denver which our comrades had taken off the carousel and walked out the airport. Don't worry about the 2 hour time difference Claire I had to get out of bed to take my shoes off .
Two questions have to be asked about security, "why was luggage allowed on a flight without the passenger ?" and "why was someone allowed to walk out of an airport with others luggage ?" Still was actually pleased i knew where mine was and would be eventually reunited in Rapid City.
Not much sleep a we had to be up at 5am to catch the flight to Minneapolis eventually ariving there at 9am. A quick dash round the airport to the Rapid City flight only to be informed we were only on a standby list and weren't actually on a flight until 9-30pm, yes 12 and half hours in Minneapolis Airport.
We asked where our luggage was and they insisted they had it all (despite us knowing 6 of our bags where on the coach in Denver), yes Delta tell Porkies.
Now as airports go Minneapolis is a good one with plenty of shops and they gave us a $25 voucher. Still it was expensive a burger and a couple of beers came to $30 but it helped i suppose. We could have gone out the airport but were all tired and was directed to a area with some comfy seats.
Actually had a good laugh and it was great in a way because it built comradeship as we got to know each other, took it in turns looking after our bags while people went to the shops, for coffees, etc.
Of course with all the stress our tour manager had to keep going out for a fag, don't think she smoked before this trip, but ended up chain smoking, lol. Poor lass was a southerner and think she was amazed how well us northerners took the disasters in our stride making jokes as we went.
Eventually we got our flight to Rapid City arriving at 11pm after a long day to meet Tim our coach driver, was almost midnight before we reached the hotel but at least the rest of the luggage turned up.
We were all shattered but had to take photo at the airport because this was the real start of the holiday.
Straight to bed so we are well rested and ready for Day Three the real holiday.
For the record Just You have since compensated us for the lost day of our holiday.
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